Throwing herself into her work

Photo: Jackie Rybeck

WHEELING – Shawn George, owner of the Far Flung Potter, sits where she most loves to be — at her pottery wheel.

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate? Photo: Jackie Rybeck

A PAIR OF MUGS – His and her mugs sit on top of the kiln at the Far Flung studio in South Paris.

A perfect gift Photo: Jackie Rybeck

GLAZING DISPLAY – Thrown pieces at the Far Flung Potter studio are ready for sale. Many of the items took weeks to complete.

SOUTH PARIS — On Reservoir Road you will find buckets of clay and glazes galore nestled in Shawn George’s pottery studio.

Along the walls at the Far Flung Potter studio are exquisite, made-by-hand pottery pieces including mugs, bowls, pots and pitchers.

George sits at her wheel with excitement, her hands steady and gentle. As the wheel begins to turn, her mind becomes focused and her face starts to glimmer.

“This piece will take a while from the time I throw it to the time it is ready to sell,” she explained. “Once it is thrown, it needs to shelf dry for about a week. Then it is kiln dried, glazed and fired again.”

“If I don’t like the looks of it, it goes right back into the slip bucket to reuse,” she added. “But, because I keep adding water as I throw, the clay has to dry a day or so before it’s ready to use again.”

Throwing is the fun part, and once dried and kiln-fired, George decides which glaze to use on the bisqued piece, as it is now called.

“There are hundreds of glazes to choose, from high gloss and matte finishes to those that are almost transparent or have speckling, textures or are thick in appearance.”

Then it is time for the final firing.

“A person would almost have to be a chemist!” she laughed. “The firing of the pieces is quite technical and needs to be precise. Fortunately I bought a kiln that is pretty idiot proof.”

The first firing is set at 1,950 degrees and fires for about10 hours. The glaze firing is set at 2,179 degrees and takes eight hours.

“Waiting for the kiln to cool enough to open can be really hard!”

Although George has only been throwing pottery on a wheel for about four years, she has been fascinated by clay as an art form since the age of eight.

“I visited a cousin who was a potter and I got to throw on his kick wheel,” smiled George. “That was pretty much it for me, but I wasn’t able to get a wheel of my own. I’m sure my parents figured I was a typical kid who wanted to play an instrument one week and throw pottery the next. Plus, it’s a pretty messy and expensive hobby.”

George went to college as an art major, and studied pottery and Chinese.

“I was fascinated with my studies, but Reagan took office and many students lost their grants; including me. Maybe I was easily stumbled and I shouldn’t blame anyone. I might have been able to find another way around it.”

And then life placed this artisan’s work with clay to the back burner.

“I got a job, got married, had children and life just happened.”

Until one day of visiting Boothbay Harbor.

“I met a good potter and I just loved her work. She taught at Portland Pottery and I took four classes, but it was expensive. So instead of signing up for more, I decided to sell my motorcycle and put the money towards a pottery studio.”

Now, four years later, George is happy with her decision and delights in her work.

“I do two fairs each year; the Renaissance Fair and DECA , plus I sell from my studio; be it off the shelf or a special order.”

Carting pottery around is not an easy task.

“It takes me about a week just to pack for the fair!” smiled the artisan. “And I am very conscious of the environment. The best thing I have found is apple crates and wood shavings.”

George doesn’t make too many large or complicated forms for the fairs.

“In this art, you never can get back the hours you put in. You would have to ask too much money for the pieces, so I like to make things that I know I could afford.”

“I just like knowing people can have my pieces,” she added.

Over half of George’s business is based on special orders.

“I sell many items off the shelf or at the fairs, but I can’t guess as to what size or color any given customer would want. So I am always willing to make a special order.”

George wishes she had started earlier in life.

“There is just so much to learn. I could be a potter for 30 years and still have more to discover.”

But now, thinking it better late than never, George finds tranquility in her work.

“Being a potter has been my life’s goal,” she smiled. “Though having done other things, I've come full circle, and now I am throwing myself into my heart’s desire and loving it. Not such a far-flung idea!”

For more information, contact George at 515-1533.

Throwing Photo: Jackie Rybeck

JUST THROWN – A piece of pottery is ready to dry and fire.